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Against Authority
GET THE BOOK HERE: http://johntwelvehawks.com/new-essay-...
After a great deal of research, I’ve written a book called AGAINST AUTHORITY: Freedom and the Rise of the Surveillance States.
This non-fiction book is both personal and controversial. I describe the “Virtual Panopticon” that is beginning to surround us like an invisible prison, and explain how we can defend our freedom.
I feel so strongly about the issues described in AGAINST AUTHORITY that I’m offering this book for free on my newly designed website: johntwelvehawks.com
You will have the option of reading the book in different E-book formats. Or you can download the book as a free PDF file and print off a paper copy.
I hope that the book will start a conversation about these significant changes in our society. I would strongly appreciate people "sharing" this post.
John Twelve Hawks
After a great deal of research, I’ve written a book called AGAINST AUTHORITY: Freedom and the Rise of the Surveillance States.
This non-fiction book is both personal and controversial. I describe the “Virtual Panopticon” that is beginning to surround us like an invisible prison, and explain how we can defend our freedom.
I feel so strongly about the issues described in AGAINST AUTHORITY that I’m offering this book for free on my newly designed website: johntwelvehawks.com
You will have the option of reading the book in different E-book formats. Or you can download the book as a free PDF file and print off a paper copy.
I hope that the book will start a conversation about these significant changes in our society. I would strongly appreciate people "sharing" this post.
John Twelve Hawks
94 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2014
70 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
John Twelve Hawks
17 books613 followersJohn Twelve Hawks aka J12H/JXIIH.
His real identity is unknown. He communicates using the internet and an untraceable phone and has never met his editor.
Several guesses have been made regarding his identity: that he was Thomas Pynchon, Dan Brown, or Steve Hawking among others...
His real identity is unknown. He communicates using the internet and an untraceable phone and has never met his editor.
Several guesses have been made regarding his identity: that he was Thomas Pynchon, Dan Brown, or Steve Hawking among others...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 19, 2017
John Twelve Hawks is on a journey to educate the masses and enlighten us all about the Big Brother state and mass surveillance. This is a personal and controversial book on how our lives are watched and analyzed by governments and international corporations. In a world in which our actions can be monitored by a computerized grid of social control, is there anything we can do to defend our freedom?
The author feels strongly about the subject and educating everyone in the Digital world to the extent of giving away his book for free. You can get this book in multiple formats either from Amazon (kindle) or directly from his website as PDF or a format compatible with other E-readers:
Website
https://www.johntwelvehawks.com/again...
Kindle Book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Against-Auth...
As the topic of Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, privacy and the right not to be watched at all times by anyone or The Invisibles is close to my heart, this book has broadened my horizon on the subject.
I'm passionate about freedom and privacy online and offline. It seems we have less privacy and freedom in the digital world and the actions of a few give surveillance states power over everyone in the digital world in more ways that they have dreamed of in the past.
The book directly compares the constant, unwarranted and indiscriminate mass surveillance to a "Virtual Panopticon".
If you are unfamiliar with the "Panopticon Prison" concept, below is the Wikipedia definition:
"The Panopticon is a type of institutional building designed by the English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The concept of the design is to allow all (pan-) inmates of an institution to be observed (-opticon) by a single watchman without the inmates being able to tell whether or not they are being watched."
My advice to you is do not be a sceptic, you know what the media and authority tells you about the need for surveillance, but have you researched what they are NOT telling you? How they use your data? How they infringe upon your privacy and most intimate details for other purposes? Educate yourself. You owe that to yourself at least.
I urge everyone to take their freedom and privacy seriously as we become more and more a digital record in a mass database hoarded by corporates and governments.
For those who adopt the mass media mantra of "I have nothing to hide":
When I go to the toilet I have nothing to hide either, but do I want someone invisible watching me in my most private moment? Imagine living in China, do you feel comfortable being watched if you were reading or writing about human rights?
The author feels strongly about the subject and educating everyone in the Digital world to the extent of giving away his book for free. You can get this book in multiple formats either from Amazon (kindle) or directly from his website as PDF or a format compatible with other E-readers:
Website
https://www.johntwelvehawks.com/again...
Kindle Book
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Against-Auth...
As the topic of Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, privacy and the right not to be watched at all times by anyone or The Invisibles is close to my heart, this book has broadened my horizon on the subject.
I'm passionate about freedom and privacy online and offline. It seems we have less privacy and freedom in the digital world and the actions of a few give surveillance states power over everyone in the digital world in more ways that they have dreamed of in the past.
The book directly compares the constant, unwarranted and indiscriminate mass surveillance to a "Virtual Panopticon".
If you are unfamiliar with the "Panopticon Prison" concept, below is the Wikipedia definition:
"The Panopticon is a type of institutional building designed by the English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The concept of the design is to allow all (pan-) inmates of an institution to be observed (-opticon) by a single watchman without the inmates being able to tell whether or not they are being watched."
My advice to you is do not be a sceptic, you know what the media and authority tells you about the need for surveillance, but have you researched what they are NOT telling you? How they use your data? How they infringe upon your privacy and most intimate details for other purposes? Educate yourself. You owe that to yourself at least.
I urge everyone to take their freedom and privacy seriously as we become more and more a digital record in a mass database hoarded by corporates and governments.
For those who adopt the mass media mantra of "I have nothing to hide":
When I go to the toilet I have nothing to hide either, but do I want someone invisible watching me in my most private moment? Imagine living in China, do you feel comfortable being watched if you were reading or writing about human rights?
August 25, 2014
John Twelve Hawks’ “Against Authority – Freedom and the Rise of The Surveillance States” Essay is a wonderfully crafted, easy to digest manuscript on privacy, technology, corruption, surveillance, data-mining, and the contrast between Power and Authority.
Hawks smartly combines information from numerous, credible sources with philosophy in a non-threatening, inquisitive and conversation manner to elicit the reader to see his position and pause to reflect. Having read Hawks’ dystopian fiction previously, allow me to make two broad statements:
1. This is not a manifesto from a tin-foil hat wearing, off-the-grid living, mental patient-in-waiting writer hiding behind a moniker.
2. You learn that he does live on the grid and finds it impossible to lead an effective and efficient life with comfort without a presence in the Digital Market.
In my opinion, the Essay’s intent is to show evidence and information about the downside of giving away freedom in the name of protection (against terrorists, crooks, etc.). Hawks deftly provides statistics on prevention, or the illusion thereof. Additionally, the act of giving away privacy in the name of convenience is well presented throughout this essay.
Inevitably, Hawks admits that living off-the-grid is more of a fantasy: We work; we have cell phones and Internet, bills to pay, and places to go. He counters, however, that after reading his essay, you may become more aware of invasive technology and perhaps take time for yourself off-line with just you and your original thoughts to keep you company. You can start by leaving cell phones in the car when you and your family go out to eat. Unplug!
Having read the author’s trilogy “The Fourth Realm” years ago, I will say that aspects have stuck with me and this essay just reconfirms a portion of my thoughts and action. “John” has “met” two of my online aliases, albeit briefly, through his Facebook page. Outside of that, I’m nothing more than a purchaser of his books that enjoy his stories. I am a strong advocate for attempting to control what search engines will find out about your true identity.
And no, my alias/moniker is only a secret to the general population – friends and family know; I’m not looking for ways to “step out” with burners and such! And no, I’m not in the tin-foil camp. My DNA is already on file (Military service), I’m educated, and have a wonderful family. I’m on the grid, believe me.
However, I notice. I care. I minimize my public self and don’t expose my friends or family (as much as I can control). My monikers I use for public opinions published online do not tie back to my public-facing profile. That said, I’m not a computer whiz, so perhaps they are! It is the active action, or attempt of prevention at least, that counts.
This is Hawks’ end message. Don’t passively allow every action, purchase, location, picture, etc., to be scooped up by big data firms that sell your information, target advertise, and begin to use predictive analysis on your thoughts AND emotions.
Like you, I enjoy the convenience of the Digital Era. Just be aware of what is out there, how you can be profiled now and in the future, and how those with Power (not necessarily Authority) can shape your life.
Hawks smartly combines information from numerous, credible sources with philosophy in a non-threatening, inquisitive and conversation manner to elicit the reader to see his position and pause to reflect. Having read Hawks’ dystopian fiction previously, allow me to make two broad statements:
1. This is not a manifesto from a tin-foil hat wearing, off-the-grid living, mental patient-in-waiting writer hiding behind a moniker.
2. You learn that he does live on the grid and finds it impossible to lead an effective and efficient life with comfort without a presence in the Digital Market.
In my opinion, the Essay’s intent is to show evidence and information about the downside of giving away freedom in the name of protection (against terrorists, crooks, etc.). Hawks deftly provides statistics on prevention, or the illusion thereof. Additionally, the act of giving away privacy in the name of convenience is well presented throughout this essay.
Inevitably, Hawks admits that living off-the-grid is more of a fantasy: We work; we have cell phones and Internet, bills to pay, and places to go. He counters, however, that after reading his essay, you may become more aware of invasive technology and perhaps take time for yourself off-line with just you and your original thoughts to keep you company. You can start by leaving cell phones in the car when you and your family go out to eat. Unplug!
Having read the author’s trilogy “The Fourth Realm” years ago, I will say that aspects have stuck with me and this essay just reconfirms a portion of my thoughts and action. “John” has “met” two of my online aliases, albeit briefly, through his Facebook page. Outside of that, I’m nothing more than a purchaser of his books that enjoy his stories. I am a strong advocate for attempting to control what search engines will find out about your true identity.
And no, my alias/moniker is only a secret to the general population – friends and family know; I’m not looking for ways to “step out” with burners and such! And no, I’m not in the tin-foil camp. My DNA is already on file (Military service), I’m educated, and have a wonderful family. I’m on the grid, believe me.
However, I notice. I care. I minimize my public self and don’t expose my friends or family (as much as I can control). My monikers I use for public opinions published online do not tie back to my public-facing profile. That said, I’m not a computer whiz, so perhaps they are! It is the active action, or attempt of prevention at least, that counts.
This is Hawks’ end message. Don’t passively allow every action, purchase, location, picture, etc., to be scooped up by big data firms that sell your information, target advertise, and begin to use predictive analysis on your thoughts AND emotions.
Like you, I enjoy the convenience of the Digital Era. Just be aware of what is out there, how you can be profiled now and in the future, and how those with Power (not necessarily Authority) can shape your life.
January 9, 2019
The book provides you with the known ways various governmental institutions and private companies monitor people and record their information. I was pleasantly surprised that the author did not simply tell the reader to go live in a forest and never touch a piece of technology. Instead, he provides more nuanced possible actions, as some of which are as simple as being aware of the fact that you are being watch, but not agreeing with it.
April 15, 2017
Important to realize this is an essay, more a collection of thoughts rather than a fleshed out journalistic style book. I don't often read non-fiction (the world is tiring enough as it is) but this could hold some surprises for those not keyed into the current events around technology and privacy. Worth a read especially in today's climate as well as his fiction novels, which are oddly prescient for when they were written.
November 12, 2015
This book was a real eye opener and very informative. It will make you think and make you think twice about everything that you do and that you are being watched. Big Brother is happening. The author makes a lot of references to George Orwell's novel 1984.
This is a must read. It's not a conspiracy theory to me because he was stating true facts. The CCTV cameras in London and Snowden committing treason.
This is a must read. It's not a conspiracy theory to me because he was stating true facts. The CCTV cameras in London and Snowden committing treason.
August 26, 2014
This is truly an important book to read for right Now! The fictional work of ZJohn Twelve Hawks is based on the reality of the the current and future surveillance state. This is as an important work s V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and George Orwell's 1984.
November 22, 2018
An excellent essay, convincingly argued, which reflects many of my own thoughts and concerns regarding the issues covered therein. Basically: If you aren't concerned, you should be. If you don't understand why, read this. If you do, read it anyway.
November 19, 2018
Against Authority is an interesting essay on the state of surveillance in modern society and the dangers we face from both corporations and governments. The virtual panopticon described in the book feels closer than ever and for those not close to the subject of privacy the book is filled with real world examples that run the gamut from the merely eyebrow raising to the 'I'm throwing my phone in the sea and moving to a cave in the mountains'.
The most startling thing I took from the book was how automated and pervasive it all is; that and the the quote from a former director of the NSA who said "We kill people based on metadata." If that doesn't have you concerned about privacy nothing will.
The most startling thing I took from the book was how automated and pervasive it all is; that and the the quote from a former director of the NSA who said "We kill people based on metadata." If that doesn't have you concerned about privacy nothing will.
October 17, 2019
An excellent book, found it both fascinating and quite eye opening.The content was in great detail about things that I had already thought about and were of great concern to me but didn't have a great detail of facts to confirm my fears.
September 6, 2017
With black sheep, this is a book of reconfirmation. With with sheep, it may be encouraging to become black, one lock (of hair) at a time.
December 28, 2018
Very well written
December 7, 2014
“WE KILL PEOPLE BASED ON METADATA.” (GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NSA)
As NSA general counsel Stewart Baker once said, “metadata absolutely tells you everything about somebody’s life. If you have enough metadata, you don’t really need content.”
So what happens when an algorithm delivers the wrong answer and a Pakistani wedding party gets hit with a Hellfire missile? No one is going to court-martial a software programmer living in Seattle. The drone command group doesn’t analyze the software program’s calculations; they’re only aware of its conclusion.
“The system continues to work because, like most things in the military, the people who use it trust it unconditionally,” he says. When he would raise objections about intelligence that was “rushed” or “inaccurate” or “outright wrong,” he adds, “the most common response I would get was ‘JSOC wouldn’t spend millions and millions of dollars, and man hours, to go after someone if they weren’t certain that they were the right person.’” a former JSOC drone operator interviewed in 2014 by The Intercept
One characteristic of the modern surveillance states is that people are going to be arrested, imprisoned, and killed based on computer-driven conclusions that the authorities won’t be able to explain. And if for some reason the wrong data has been placed in the system, it’s very difficult to challenge or change these errors.
As NSA general counsel Stewart Baker once said, “metadata absolutely tells you everything about somebody’s life. If you have enough metadata, you don’t really need content.”
So what happens when an algorithm delivers the wrong answer and a Pakistani wedding party gets hit with a Hellfire missile? No one is going to court-martial a software programmer living in Seattle. The drone command group doesn’t analyze the software program’s calculations; they’re only aware of its conclusion.
“The system continues to work because, like most things in the military, the people who use it trust it unconditionally,” he says. When he would raise objections about intelligence that was “rushed” or “inaccurate” or “outright wrong,” he adds, “the most common response I would get was ‘JSOC wouldn’t spend millions and millions of dollars, and man hours, to go after someone if they weren’t certain that they were the right person.’” a former JSOC drone operator interviewed in 2014 by The Intercept
One characteristic of the modern surveillance states is that people are going to be arrested, imprisoned, and killed based on computer-driven conclusions that the authorities won’t be able to explain. And if for some reason the wrong data has been placed in the system, it’s very difficult to challenge or change these errors.
February 10, 2017
Interestingly enough, I had to register on the author's website in order to download the book...
It was a good read. And scary. I wonder how future generations will judge us for letting all this happen. Read it!
It was a good read. And scary. I wonder how future generations will judge us for letting all this happen. Read it!
June 25, 2023
I grabbed this after reading his novel "The Traveler". I didn't care for that book; I found it very awkward to read and wordy. I gave up twice before finally deciding to finish it, because I liked the underlying story line. This nonfiction work expands on the concepts that seeded that series, and "John" makes a lot of good points and makes some good suggestions on how to deal with the emerging surveillance state. I don't agree with everything he states, but I found it well worth the read, and thought provoking. He's also either matured as a writer or does a much better job at nonfiction than novels.
March 21, 2017
An interesting viewpoint on the power of surveillance and the invasion of privacy. There is a lot of evidence. It showed how our privacy is an issue and governments and contractors are abusing the fear of terrorism and making money. It was also interesting to find out more about the author and his journey.
July 3, 2016
An important subject
The author takes a deep look into all the data-collecting and surveillance taking place in our lives and world. Once a person understands how much privacy has been lost, he can never feel at ease again. It is an OUTRAGE and the author has done a good job of making people aware. Everyone should read this book and become educated.
The author takes a deep look into all the data-collecting and surveillance taking place in our lives and world. Once a person understands how much privacy has been lost, he can never feel at ease again. It is an OUTRAGE and the author has done a good job of making people aware. Everyone should read this book and become educated.
November 10, 2024
This book should be required for everyone living in the digital age and the surveillance state. I have read it multiple times, which is why it lingered on my "currently reading" list for so long. READ IT! It's FREE for Kindle.
Second read. Getting ready to write some blog posts on the content. A great book!
I love this author.
Read his fiction!
Second read. Getting ready to write some blog posts on the content. A great book!
I love this author.
Read his fiction!
January 5, 2015
This is an extremely important free ebook that everyone should read. We are at a turning point in information technology that threatens the core of privacy with some really scary implications for liberty. READ THIS BOOK!
July 15, 2015
In less than 100 pages, John Twelve Hawkes describes the "Virtual Panopticon" that is an ever-growing threat to the right to privacy. One can easily devour this book in under an hour, and I highly recommend it to those concerned about the use technology and data to manipulate and control.
July 31, 2015
Compelling essay detailing the current state of surveillance, why this is problematic and where we could be headed. Well researched. I would love to see an actual bibliography.
December 22, 2016
An interesting short read
Worth a read if you're interested in how much our delay lives are monitored and analysed by the state. Doesn't take long to read.
Worth a read if you're interested in how much our delay lives are monitored and analysed by the state. Doesn't take long to read.
October 17, 2014
A must read from an insightful author and thinker.
April 13, 2017
Книга начинается с отделения понятий власти и авторитета. Очень часто те люди которые имеют власть не являются авторитетами и как результат этого встречают сопротивление. Дальше в книге дается много примеров как власть пытается и часто успешно контролирует людей. С многим уже сталкивался и читал в других книгах (про сеть, имси, таргет). Книга напоминает нам о том что надо быть всегда на чеку, а так же что тотальный контроль, большое количество цифровой информации о людях и автоматические принятия решений о судьбах этих людей могут привести к катастрофе. В общем короткое и полезное чтиво.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews